Wire knotting machine



Aug. 23, 1932. M. NIGRO ET AL 1,873,461

WIRE KNO'ITING MACHINE Filed Jan. 12, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS MICHEL NIGRO L BY fiTHUR Mano L WZ ATTo'RuEY g- 23, 1932- M. NIGRO ET AL WIRE KNOTTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 12, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 25 W a I R0 Mano. ATTORNEY of wire and other'advantageous features of machine shown in Fig. 1.

Patented Aug. 23, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT oF FrcE f 'MIoHEL NIGBO AND ARTHUR cQNieRo, or WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNORS,

T SLEEPER & HARTLEY INC., .OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORAIIOITv 0E MAssAcHUSETTS WIRE KNOT'I'ING MACHINE Application-filed January 12, 1931. Serial .No. 508,077.

The present invention relates to a machine for knotting or tylng the free end of a wire article, such as a coiled spring, and has for.

its object to provide a machine of the above" indicated character, that is simple and efi'ec-,- tive in its operation. The machine is particularly characterized by the fact that it is possibility of the operators hand being: drawn into the moving parts of the machine. Furthermore, the machine is capable of readyadjustment for operating on different sizes the machine will hereinafter more fully appear from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which r Fig. 1 is a plan view ofa machineembodying the invention. 7

Fig. 2 is a view in front Fig. 3 is a view inend elevation of the machine shown in Fig. 2,as viewed from the left. i

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, looking in the direc-J tion of the arrows. v p

Fig. 5 is a fragmentaryview illustrat ng the mounting of the work table, certain parts being removed. 7

Fig. 6 1s a fragmentary sectional viewalong the line 66 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows. H

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view, 11-

, lu'strating the formation of a knot on a (a and 8a lllustrate the completely formed knots resulting from the different operations of Figs. 7 andS.

Like reference characters refer to like parts generally comprises a frame 1 providing upelevation of the v wardly' extending bearing brackets 2, 2 for rotatably supporting a driving shaft 3 and a cam shaft 4:. Power is adapted-to be ap plied to the machine from any suitable source by means of a pulley 5 which, as best shown in Fig. 4, is loosely mounted ontheshaft 3 and is adapted to be operativelyconnected to the shaft 3 by means of a suitable clutch device 6, the 'details of which will behereinafter more fully described. The shaft 3 has keyed thereto apinion7 in mesh with'a gear 8 mounted on the camshaft 4:, the ratio .between the pinion 7 and gear 8 being such that: cam shaft 4 is adapted'to make one half of a revolution for each complete revolution of the drive shaft 3. 1

As best shown in Figs. 1, 3 and 5, themachine provides a fiat'work supporting table 9 providing a downwardly extending portion 10 carrying a dovetail gib 11 slidably received in a correspondingly shaped slot 12a formed" in an arm 12 secured to the framebracket '2 by bolts 13 received in elongatedslots 13a, so that the arm 12 and table 9 are capable of vertical adjustment, as a unit. The table 9 is adapted to be given a reciprocatory movementin a horizontal plane by means of a two-armed lever 14f pivotally mounted on a,

rockshaft 15 with one arm 14a of the lever extending upwardly beneath the outer, end of the table 9. As best shown in Fig.1 4, the

upper end of the lever arm 14a carries a pivoted block 16 through which passes arod 1 7 block 16. The other end of the rod17 is rigidly received in a wrist pin 19, the ends of which are rotatably supported in lugs 20 provided by the under sideof the work table 9. With the above described connection between the table 9 and the lever 14, turning of v the lever about its rock shaft 15 imparts a horizontal movement to the table,the limits of this movement being capable of adjusta" esp ment by reason of the longitudinal adjust-i ability of the rod 17 within the block 16;

The other arm 14:?) of the lever 14 carries at its end a roll 21 which is received in a track 22 provided on a cam 23 mounted on the loo" he moved toward the drive shaft 3- during {the first quarterof the revolution: of:v the shaft 4. Then duringthe next one-half of: v a, revolution of the shaft 4, the table will remain stationary", after which the nex't one quarter revolution of the shaft 4will return the table 9 to the aosition shown in Fi '3.

In other words, each complete revolution of I 4 from the pos tionshown in Fig. 3 causes I the table 9tostar its inward movement tothe cam shaft 4 will impart acompletereciprocatory movement to theta'bleQ, witha dwell between the inward and outward movements of the table 9 with respect to the shaft 3. And since the shaft 4is adapted to make only one-half of a revolut onffor each complete revolution'of the. drive shaft '3, ,the

' table 9 will remain in its inward position; for v a period corresponding to thecperiod for one revolution ofthedrive shaft 3.

As bestshown in Fig. 1, the table 3 9 carries on its surface'one or more ad ustable work positioning blocks 24, 24 arranged to substantially fit the curvature of the end convo. lutions of a coiled spring, indicated in dotted: lines at25, when base of the springis placed on the table 9. The table 9 also provides a slide 26 carrying a stop 27 for thetree end of the last convolution of thesp'ring I 2.5,theslide 26 being longitudinally movable] in a slot 9a provided in-the face of the table-9:, As best shown in Fig. 6, the end of theslide 26 provides a lug 28 which 1s connected to a5 'fixture 29 mounted onthe frame byapin 30a aassin -throu hears 30 of the fixture 529' so that the slide 26 does not movewith the tahle 9L Thefixture 29.'is adjustably mounted: on the frame by al bolt 29a passing through slot. The table Q-also car'ries a clamping block 31 having a g'roovei3la therein for reeeiving a portion of the next to the last convolution of the spring 26 adjacent to its free end when the latter is in engagement with stop27.

i As best shownin Fig. 3, a movable clamp.

' 3 2;r'is adapted to cooperate with'the c'lamping' sideof the table, portion 10. The brjaoket35 issecured to-the table pcrtionlO by bolts 36 received in elongated slots 36a, 1 so that the bracket 35 is capable oi? vertical adjustment.

. A spring 37 connected to'the arm'33 'and'anchoredat its other end on-the table portion 10 serves to bias the. arm 33 in the positionshown'in Fig. 3, in which the clamp 32'is raisedabove the block 31. In thisflposition,

' the upper surface of thear-In 33 is yieldingly maintained-in engagement with a roll, 38 19am:

ried at one end of alever 39 pivotally supported on a stud 4O projecting'laterally from' face ofthe cam 23.

In the position shown, the roll 44is received' in-a depression-'45 providedin the outersur face 'of the cam 23 so thatftheispring j maintains the clainp32 in-its raised position. 'However, when rotation of the shaft ward the-shaft 3,".the'ar1n 43 ismoved up- 'wardly by-tlie cam 23 and this movement of the arm isiniparted, to the lever 39,, There tore, as the table 9 st'arts move inwardly carry ng a spring toward the knotting tool' housin 41 the roll 38 at they end of the lever.

23 z v v 3,9 exerts downwardpressure on the arm- 33, thereby causing theclamp 32 to firmly .en-p

gagethe end convoliitionsofthe-spring in:

cooperation with the clamping block 31. This clamping engagement is maintained the entire time that the table remains in the spring knotting position, the lrnotte dspring notbeing releasedfuntil the tahle9 is again a moved outwardly to the. position shown in Fig". .3 wherein the roll44 is again seated; in. the depression'45. The arm 43 is adjust! able aboutthe clampingibolt 42andan over hangingluglfi on the lever 39, see; Fig.1, carries a stud 4?. for maintaining any adjustments which. maybe made for operating'on difierent sizeslot wire. r

Referring now to Fig. 4, the housing 41 in: closes a gear 48' mounted ona sleeve49 loosely surrounding a reduced portion 3a oi the shaft 3.. The teethof 48 are liLHiGSll with. the teethof a knotting. pinion 50i also rotatably' supportedhy thev housing 41. The knottingpinion5O is {of a form usnally employed in machines of thisfityqpe and provides a conical recess 51 and a radial lrecess 52 at opposite ends connected by a radial slot 53, theslot 53 being alined withthe sun;

face of the clamping block 31 when the parts occupy the position shown in Fig, 3; Consequently, when the table'UB ismoved inwardly, during the first-quarter of arevoilutionfof the.shaft 4,the inner convolutions of the springenter-intothe conical recess 51;, as shown in 7, which movement causes the shoulder 54 between the recess 51 and recess to bend the free end the spring at right angles to the of the wire away from the stop 27, the fixed plate 26 sliding iii-the slot 29'; as the table 9 moves to its extreme inner position. The

ratio between the teeth onv the gear 48 and} the 'pinion.*50 is such that eaoh 'complete revolutionoi the gear48 causesthe knotting axis of the conical. recess This movement also shifts: the end pinion to make two complete revolutions, and the manner in which the gear 48 is driven from the shaft 3 will now be described.

As best shown in Fig. 4, the sleeve 49 carrying the gear 48'is keyed to a collar carrying a slidable dog 56 pressed by a spring 57 in the direction of the pinion 7 which drives the cam shaft 4.- The face of the pinion 7 opposing the dog 56 provides a notch 58, so that movement of the dog 56 toward the pinion 7 by the spring 57 will cause the dog 56 to enter the notch 58 and establish a driv? ing connection between the collar 55 and the pinion. As best shown in Fig. 2, the dog'56 is adapted to be maintained in a position in which it is withdrawn from the notch 58 by means of a bolt 59 receivable in a groove 60 provided in the collar 55, the bolt 59 providing a beveled end portion'59a adapted to hold the dog retracted in the position shown. The: bolt 59 is carried at the end of one arm of a lever '61 having its middle portion mounted on a countershaft 62 extending belowthe drive shaft 3 in front of the cam shaft 4; The other arm of the lever 61 extends rearwardly in the direction of the cam shaft, 4

and cooperates with a collar 63 carried by theshaft 4, the collar 63 providing a cam projection 64 which is adapted to turn the lever 61 and operate the bolt 59.

As previously pointed out, the shaft3 carrying the pinion 7 is adapted to be con nected to the pulley 5 by means of a clutch 6 which comprises a collar 65 keyed to the shaft 3. The collar 65 carries a 'slidable dog 66 which is pressed in the direction of a notch 67 on the hub of the pulley 5 by means of a spring .68. As best shown inFig. 2, a bolt 69 movable in a groove 7 O on the collar 65 serves to hold the dog 66 withdrawn from' the notch 67. The bolt 69 is carried at the end of one arm of a lever 71 carried by the countershaft 62 on which the lever 61 is also mounted. The other arm of the lever 71 extends rearwardly toward the shaft 4 with its free end cooperating with a collar 72 mounted on the shaft 4, a cam projection 73 on'the collar 72 serving to turn the lever 71, see Fig. 1.

The countershaft'62 carrying the clutch operating levers 61 and 71 also carries a forwardly extending arm 74 that is connected by a link 75 to a foot treadle 76pivota-lly supported at the bottom of the frame 1'. By depressing the treadle7 6 the arm 74' is turned downwardly, thereby turning the.

shaft 62 and causing'the lever 71 to draw the bolt 69 downwardly in the groove 70. When this occurs, the dog 66 is projected in the notch 67 as soon as the turning of the pulley 5' brings the notch 67 in alinement with the dog 66. The shaft 3 is then driven by the pulley'5 which in turn drives-the cam shaft 4 at one-half the speedof rotation. Assuming that the parts occupy the posi-' tion of Fig. 3 when the treadle 76 is de-" pressed, following the'positioning of a spring on the table, 9,the first one-half revolution of the shaft 3 causes the lever l4to move the table 9 and carry-the spring into the slot 53 of the knotting pinion 50.v The pinion5O at this time is-heldstationary by the cooperation of alocking plunger 77 with the collar 55,

see Fig. 1, which insures thatthe pinion slot 53 will properly receive the spring. After the table'9 has positioned the spring within the pinion 50:it comes to rest du'eto the fact that the portion of the cam track '22'withwhich the-roll 21 is then in engagementnis concentric about the faxis of the shaft 4 and the table 9 remains stationary throughout is raised by a lever 78 operated by a cam 79 on theshaft 4, so that the collar 55 is free to turn with pinion 7 and the sleeve'49 imparts rotative movement to the knotting pinion 50 thereby wrapping the free end of the wire coil around the first convolution, asindicated diagrammatically inFig. 7. After the pinion 7 has completed substantially one revolution with the collar 55 clutched thereto,.the cam projection 64 on the collar 63 engages the le ver 61 and causes the bolt 59 to withdraw the dog 56, thereby arresting rotation of the knotting pinion 50. By this time, howeverythe, pinion 50 has completed two revolutions, so

that as it comes to rest with the slot 53 in the position shown in Fig. 4, the knotted spring can be withdrawn. The spring withdrawal movement of the table 9 is brought about by the engagement of theroll 21 with the remaining portion of the cam track'22 which is effective during the last one-half of the rev-f olution of thedrive shaft 3. As the driveshaft 3' completes its second revolution, the projection 73 on the collar 72 operates the lever 71, thereby causing the bolt69'to withdraw the dog 66 from the'notch 67 inthe pul ley 5. The machine, therefore, comes to rest with all of its parts occupying'the position of Fig. 3 for the beginning of a new cycle of been positioned on the table9, when the table is atrestin its outer position; In positioning a spring on the table 9, in the manner shown,

the, operator has only to. position thefree end;

of: the spring in e gage nt w h. t e S ep2 l inwardly, the operator is immediately rel-v;

lieved of any-necessity of having theQha-nds; follow, the table. Furthermore, the slide 26', carrying the stop 27, rema-insstationary the table '9' moves inwardly, so 'that the oper-r Q I! ators hands naturally cometo rest on 'station.-,

ary slide26, afterpositioning aspring, As; 7 a"result,-a'ny possibility of the; operatolis;

hands being drawn into the'moving "pa-rtsof themachineis eliminated. f 1 8 a operating on springs Wound from Wire: ofdifferent diameters, the adjustment of the, arm; 430i the operating lever 39 permits the;

, -movement of the-clamp32-to be so controlled e as toinsure the proper holding pressure on, a the Wire between the-block 31,,and; the clamp, 32; Furthermore, they vertical adj ustment; of the bracket .35, carryingthe pivot34, makes; itp'ossible to insure that the arm 33, carryingthe clamp '32-, v\villassume a horizonta1iposi-.

n t'ionv p'arallelto the table-9, when the roll 44, of the arm .43, is riding on the surf-ace ofi the 0811123., Otherwise,theclamp 32, would tend;

toreleasei'ts grip on. the [wire Inaddition to theabovejdescribed adjuste.

ments it'is also possible .to' obtain close adk jiistment of the travel of tlie table 9,1With011t' changing the, cam track,22; By varying the length of themed-17,1135; means. ofthe nu'tsl8 on opposite sides: of the block. l6, the travel: of the table 9 canbe readilychanged for the, purpose offcausing. the free, end of th e spring to be'wou'nd around; the next adj accent; coniv lution with; the desired amount, oi gripping effect; -Fcr example, as shown chagiramina'ti. v eally in Fig. :7,;the inward 'BllVEl'OflSllQ table 9, is suchrthat in its extreme posi fo innermostscoil of the Wire is p'os lone 'co-f an ally with the knotting pinion, 50;. 5 There fore, whenthe pinion 5O -is rotated, tl1e" de-.-'

I! flected end ofthe wire willbe evenlyaround the adjacent convolution, seefFig 7n. Inv some cases; however, it-is' desirable,- to obtai na locking eifec-t between-the endcioria volution and the turnsv of Wire which are; I Wrapped about it, 'll-ustrated-inlilig, In

order: to obtaint V I rod 17, isshortened by ofthe V sothat the table 9, does not move in es far, as-it doesin Fig. 7. 1 Therefore, theendcoi -r volution of the spring comes to rest so 1 What off center Within the pi 'one502, so. that when the freeend of the Wire is wrapped around. the same, the wire of the end con-vic lution will he fiset Where the Wrapping 63 occurs, see- E -g. 8a, j As a- -nesult the turns block 31,; :Then as -soon as the footjtreadle locking, the connec a; s,

mountedshaftand'a knottin ainion-ada ted; Y b l to be driven: from saidfshaft, ofa spring supportingtable adapted fcr .reciprocatory, movement in a horizontal plane at right angles 'to the pinion.

axis ,ofrotation of said; knotting 2. ln a machine of thfeclass describech-the I combination vith fra1ne,a;rotatably mount ed shaft and a knotting pinion. adapted tcibe driven trom SfllCl; shaft, of a spring s emper:-

ingtable sl fdably nountedi on said frame for v,

movement in a horizontalplane angles to the agar-sot said pin on, and meansf foradjustably controlling movement ofsaid t a-ble; V,

3. In a machine of therclass describedfthe combinat on W1hl1' a tramp, ai .rot atably incuntedshaft and a knot-t ngp nion adapted,

" to be ClllYQXi flOlIlsaid shaidof aspri ng; snp

'onsaidlframe porting table slidablyinoun" d I and means tor in pai rting a reciprocatory movement tie-saidplate in a horizontal plane at r1ghtangjles to the axis of said lenotting pinion. r

4: In a machine or, the class'descr'ibed, the conibinat-t cnwvi-thaframe, arotatacly mount.

ed shaft and a hnotting pinion adapted. to bedrlven-from said ishaft, of a sprlng sup-- porting-table slidably mounted on said frame, a reckinglever pivotally mounted on,

said framdmeans for imparting anoscillatory' movement tosaid lever and connec-. tion between said lever and said'table tra-nsiatjngtheoscillatory movement of said;

leverintoireciprocatory movement of said table; in a hormontal plane at right angles to the axis :of said knottingpinion. V '5. In; a machine ozftheclass described the combination with a frame, a'rotatab-ly mounted shaft and aknotting pinion adapted to be.

ing table slidably mounted on said frame, a,

its

driven from said shafit, of a spring supportand a conneetirmv between. said; lever and said table tor translating the oscillatory niove-i 11161111015 said lever intoreciprocatory movement of sai-dz table in a horizontal, plane-at rig-ht anglestotthe axis of said knotting. pin,- ion,.zsai d connection being adjustable inde pendently of said cam. a

:6. In a ,wire knotting machine,,;the combinati on with a spring supporting-table movf able in a horizontal plane and carrying a wire; clampmg-blochofr a rclampingmember pivots ral y 11Qu ts ensa b e, an m ns, for

turning said clamping" member into engage, ment with said block; 1n, advance of movement bination with a spring supporting table mov able in a horizontal plane and carrying a wire [51 clamping block, of a clamping member pivotally mounted on said table,'means for maintaining said clamping member out of engagement with said block when the table is in the spring receiving position, and means for moving said clamping member into engagement with said block before said table is moved to the wire knotting position. 7

8. In a wire knotting machine, the combination with a spring supporting table movable in a horizontal plane and carrying a wire clamping block, of a clamping member pivotally mounted on said table, and a pivotally mounted lever yieldably maintained in contact with said clamping member for moving said clamping member into engagement with said block before'said table is moved to the wire knotting position. 7

9. In a wire knotting machine, the combination with a rotatably driven shaft, a knotting pinion adapted to be driven from said shaft and a work supporting table adapted to have a horizontal reciprocatory move-' ment imparted thereto from said shaft, of a clamping member pivotally mounted on said table and means operated from said shaft, in timed relation with the table moving means, for moving said clamping member into en gagement with a Wire article on said table in advance of the movement of said table into the wire knotting position.

10. In a wire knotting machine, the combination with a rotatably driven shaft, a knotting pinion adapted to be driven from said shaft and a work supporting table adapted to have a horizontal reoiprocatory movement imparted thereto from said shaft, of a clamping member pivotally mounted on said table, a cam driven from said shaft and a lever operated by said cam for turning said clamping member into engagement with a wire article on said table in advance of movement of said table into the wire knotting position.

11. In a wire knotting machine, the com bination with a rotatably driven shaft, a knotting pinion adapted to be driven from said shaft and a work supporting table adapted to have a horizontal reciprocatory movement imparted thereto froni said shaft, of a clamping member pivotally mounted on said table, a cam driven from said shaft, a lever ed to have a horizontalreciprocatory movement imparted thereto from said shaft, of a bracket vertically adjustable'on said table, a clamping member pivotally mounted on said bracket. and means for turning said clamping member into engagement with a wire article on said table, vertical adjustment of sald bracket on said table being adapted to insure parallel relation between said table and said clamping member when the latter is in its 'wire clamping position.

end of a wire article positioned by said blocks.

14. In a wire knotting'machine, a work supporting table movable'in a horizontal plane with respect to a rotatably driven knotting pinion, a slide mounted on said table 7 carrying a Wire stop and means for holding 7 said slide stationary when said table is moved to carry a wire article thereon into position for operation upon by said pinion.

MICHEL NIGRO. ARTHUR C. NIGRO.

operated by said cam'for turning said clamping member into engagement with a wire ary ticle on said table and means for adjusting said clamp operating lever independently of said cam to variably control the clamping pressure. 7

12. In a wire knotting machine, the combination with a rotatably driven shaft, a knotting pinion adapted to be driven from said shaft and a work supporting table adapt- 

